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    Bolt Coffee

    4.4 (77 reviews)
    ModerateCoffee & Tea
    Open 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

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    BOLT COFFEE ATMOSPHERE

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    Recommended Reviews - Bolt Coffee

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    Wow really bad cappuccino. Service fine. Tables left dirty while staff played on their phones... try somewhere else!

    Oat milk latte  @rhodycoffee
    Rozet S.

    Good coffee and good pastries! After a museum visit, coffee and donuts were exactly what we needed. I got an iced oat milk latte and a coconut donut. Both were great! Latte is ok the pricier side but it was great.

    Shel D.

    What a find, tucked into RISD! The queer-o-meter is non existent. It's RISD! Everyone is who they are and it's fabulous. 1-10? It's a 20. We needed up here by accident, after going to a few other local Places that were jammed packed. The people are nice and friendly, the food (which is limited to a good handful of times) is delicious and fresh and the atmosphere is high spirited and casual. No pretentious coffeehouse feels here. We sat had cappuccino, ate, talked, drank more coffee, ate a donut (that are amazing) and laughed. It's not cheap - but it was well worth the time out on a cold Sunday morning with friends. Thank you Bolt! We will be back!

    Woodsman
    Austin B.

    tl;dr a trendy coffeeshop serving up artisanal drinks and Knead donuts in the RISD Museum Bolt opened its original location on Fountain Street to high praise and a loyal following, so the next logical step was to expand. And what better place for an artsy coffeehouse to team up with than the Rhode Island School of Design? This outpost of Bolt is situated within the RISD Museum, perfect for a pre-, mid-, or post-visit cup. The space is industrial-meets-metropolitan, with a marble countertop and high ceilings to contrast hardwood furnishings and subway-tile walls. A modern quilt hangs on the back wall, and a bright neon sign illuminates the coffee bar. Warm bulb lighting makes the room cozier, as does the entrance wall which gradients from grey to black. Tables are speckled throughout the open space, and at any given time most of them will be occupied to museum-goers and diligent students alike. Bolt serves up coffee and espresso drinks in baby blue dishware, with options for Knead donuts on the side. Espresso specials rotate seasonally to showcase different flavor combinations. This past visit, I ordered the Woodsman drink, which equated to a latte with added Vermont maple syrup. Service was quick and friendly, and my drink was prepared in a matter of minutes. Overall, I think that Bolt is far and away better than any chain coffee store, but still leaves something to be desired. The coffee drinks are good but never great, finding seating turns into a contact sport, and Providence has better donut options than Knead (re: PVDonuts). It's a fair addition to a day at the RISD, but not worth going out of the way for.

    Avocado toast
    Rachel M.

    Great coffee, great food! Limited selections but everything they do have is great. They carry knead donuts which are always grand. The grain bowl is the fav for me on the menu and the avocado toast makes for a good simple snack.

    Cafe miel
    Kim B.

    Located in the RISD museum, this cafe lies somewhat partially underground with some seating near floor to ceiling window lighting (not pictured). I came here around 12pm on Saturday, and it was quite busy with people chatting or doing work on their laptops. Luckily, my friends and I found seating. I ordered the Cafe Miel with a vanilla glazed donut. Both the drink and the donut were delicious, but I was a little disappointed by the higher price of my coffee when it came in a smaller cup. They also sell some cool things at the cash register such as masala chai concentrate. We did not come here for the museum itself, but for some coffee nearby where we were walking. However, this is a quality cafe to stop by if you are looking for a break after the museum.

    Neil G.

    For those confused, as I was: this Benefit Street location is the younger of the two chapters of Providence-based Bolt Coffee Company, in a communal partnership with the RISD Museum. The actual space itself is called Café Pearl. First, I'm impressed by how this place presents itself. Beautiful, casual, and sophisticated. I've never seen a coffeeshop like it, and it's no surprise when you discover that its the brainchild of an inventive RISD-alumni design studio. Baristas are artsy, down-to-earth, always smiling, and give off a "j-chillin" vibe. I've had the espresso & tonic in the past, and just enjoyed their specialty "Gingersnap", a stormy espresso that floats right above a layer of fizzy gingerbeer. Both were presented in charming glasses. The iced espresso & tonic was an absolute treat, but the Gingersnap took it up a notch. The body is invigorating and smooth. The carbonation temporarily cleanses the palate, followed by the mild, refreshing burn of ginger in the back of the throat, and the faint echo of the dark espresso. I highly recommend alternating small sips with nibbles of the candied ginger included with the drink. While I haven't visited the original Bolt Coffee bar in Downcity, it's clear to me that they are not only purveyors of premium, curated Arabica coffee, but also champions of their motto, "coffee is best enjoyed with friends." It's the little nooks like this that make me fall in love with Providence again and again.

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    10 months ago

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    10 months ago

    I love Bolt! Good price, ambiance, people, service and of course, good coffee! It's a nice place for coworking too,

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    2 years ago

    Love a barista who knows when I need an extra shot before I do. Killer avo toast, biscuit, and espresso tonic

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    9 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Wonderful staff! Niko was really kind and attentive. Delicious breakfast sandwich! I ate it too fast and didn't take a pic

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    7 years ago

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    3 years ago

    My best friend/favorite person recommended the avocado toast. Good yummy so good and yummy radish and delicious

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    7 years ago

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    5 years ago

    We got coffee here every morning while we were on vacation and it made our entire day. The vibes are immaculate and the coffee is dope.

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    9 years ago

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    Brown Bee Coffee

    Brown Bee Coffee

    4.3
    (79 reviews)
    0.5 mi

    I've only been once so far but I was very impressed by the quality of the pastries. I tried a cafe…read morelatte croissant and really enjoyed it! Super flaky and a lot of delicious flavor from the filling and garnishes. It was very busy when I stopped by midday. They were out of some items already (I missed out on trying the French onion croissant before they replaced it with another menu item). I did find a spot to sit outside but I can see it being even harder to find a seat during peak times. It's a bit off the beaten path yet it's known and popular for a reason. I'm looking forward to visiting again and trying more items and of course the coffee!

    I heard about this place through a friend and I still can't believe they have been open since 2024…read moreand I've never heard of them! I was sold as soon as I read their menu and saw that they had a Halva latte. This is one of my favorites and I can only get it at cafes near Boston. If you haven't had it, it's a must try. Halva is a sweet confection that is sesame based. Brown Bee definitely delivered on this one. I hope it stays on the menu! My wife had a pistachio latte that is made with homemade pistachio syrup. It was 10/10. We didn't plan on eating, but we did end up getting one of their cinnamon rolls with a homemade cream cheese frosting. It was fantastic! They have plenty of seating and although we waited inline, there were several seats available and we got to enjoy our drinks and cinnamon roll. This place is worth the wait in line. We will be going back again this weekend. I want to try the everything croissant with cream cheese baked inside! We may also try one of their breakfast sandwiches. My only recommendation is that they add little chalk boards for each of the croissants with what they are as they had to keep telling everyone what each one was. Still a 10/10.

    Photos
    Spanish latte
    Spanish latte
    Coffee area
    Coffee area
    Inside the cafe

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    Inside the cafe
    Ceremony

    Ceremony

    4.4
    (179 reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $$

    Ceremony is a great cafe near Brown. The matcha drinks are all delicious and actually have a good…read moreamount of matcha flavor. They're not overly milky which is a problem I often have at other places. I also really like the large selection of hot teas you can get. They have lots of fun seasonal flavors which I always love. I haven't tried many of their snack items, but they have plenty of selection.

    Ceremony is a matcha focused cafe on College Hill in Providence that has built a following well…read morebeyond the immediate Brown University and RISD crowd it sits closest to. I walked into a space that is bright and well designed, with large windows bringing in natural light on a sunny day and a layout that works for both sitting with a drink and getting some work done. The matcha program is the reason most people come here. I noticed the menu follows seasons and trends in a way that keeps the offering from feeling static, and the flavor combinations go beyond what most cafes in the area attempt. I tried the strawberry matcha, which is the most liked drink here, and it was decent. The hojicha latte is a strong alternative for anyone who wants something with a roasted, earthier quality rather than the grassy brightness of standard matcha. Sweetener is an add on rather than included by default, which is worth knowing when you place your order, particularly if you are accustomed to cafes that automatically offer a simple syrup option. The menu also extends into wine and cocktails for evening visits, which gives the space a different function than a typical daytime cafe. Consistency on the matcha is mixed, with occasional issues around mixing and clumping that affect both the flavor and the texture. When it is well made, the quality is evident. The cafe gets crowded and loud during peak hours, so visiting on a weekday or arriving early on weekends gives you a better experience of the space. Parking in the area is manageable compared to most of Providence. For a matcha focused cafe with a unique menu and a bright, comfortable space, Ceremony is worth knowing about.

    Photos
    Feburary menu
    Feburary menu
    Items for sale by local artists
    Items for sale by local artists
    Dirty matcha latte

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    Dirty matcha latte
    Coffee Exchange

    Coffee Exchange

    4.3
    (479 reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $$

    This place is always packed. Either people getting a cup of java to savour on the outside or…read moreinside seating area or people getting beans to go. I stopped in here to pick up an order for my husband. The order was ready as expected and I requested for them to gring them for French Press. They did it quickly and off I went. They have such a large variety of types, flavors, countries, etc, which makes this a very busy store for coffee lovers.

    I really wanted to love Coffee Exchange because the rustic, aesthetic vibes are totally my thing,…read morebut the energy was just... off. It's a great-looking spot in RI with a small patio and some limited parking in the back, but the atmosphere felt pretty unwelcoming. To be honest, as a person of color, I felt like we were treated differently than other customers. While the person taking our order was fine, the rest of the staff and even the patrons were snappy and rude, which really killed the vibe. It's a shame because the coffee itself is actually incredible. You can tell they really know what they're doing--the options are expansive and every cup is clearly well-crafted. If you're just in it for a high-quality brew and don't mind a side of cold energy, it might be worth it, but the lack of basic hospitality makes it hard to fully enjoy. A total "vibey" spot on the outside, but definitely lacked the warmth you'd expect from a local coffee shop.

    Photos
    Cold Brew Jugs
    Cold Brew Jugs
    Iced caffe mocha
    Iced caffe mocha
    Coffee beans and merchandise

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    Coffee beans and merchandise
    Ellie's

    Ellie's

    4.3
    (607 reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $$

    I came here as part of Providence Coffee Crawls. I had been here before and loved my experience, so…read moreI was looking forward to visiting again. The first time I came, it was a rainy weekday and this time it was a sunny weekend, so I was expecting an even larger crowd; and my prediction was correct. The line was just out the door but because of their awesome staff, the line was moving very quickly. While we waited in line, we could watch them making pastries through the glass, a couple feet in front of us. I admired that level of transparency. When we were third in line, the kindest lady asked us whether we'd be eating in or taking out and she took down our name to help us find a table when it came time. She did the same for the rest of the people in line. She also gave us some recommendations, including the cinnamon bun - apparently they're so good kids cry when they sell out. I didn't intend to order anything with my drink, but I couldn't get the cinnamon bun out of my head so I ordered it along with my iced spiced chai latte. The hen (I think it's their logo) on the aprons of the employees are super cute. We did secure a table. The tables are close together to maximize the number of people who can sit down but I didn't mind. I love their art all around, mostly of birds which I am obsessed with. I love that they have a lot of natural lighting coming through their tall windows. I also like the navy blue and white theme they have going on. The chai latte was perfect. It was the right color (a dark tan), meaning the ratio of tea and milk was good and I could taste a lot of the spices. The cinnamon bun blew my expectations away. The second my teeth made. contact with the icing, it was a magical feeling. I couldn't quite put my finger on what it tasted like, but the closest I got was dulce de leche. It is truly unlike any other cinnamon bun I have ever had. The dough is soft and there is a good amount of cinnamon. It's also $4 which is not bad. I had a bite of their canelé, which apparently requires a lot of work to make. It was very moist, with a great caramelized finish. I am super excited to try their new weekend dinner menu, but also more of their all day menu items.

    Ellie's is dangerous. I walked in thinking coffee and one pastry. That lasted about 30 seconds…read more The owner (adorable, by the way) was walking around checking on tables and making sure everyone was happy. It feels like her place in the best way -- warm, proud, hands-on. Pastries are legit. Super buttery, flaky enough to make a mess, clearly baked that morning. No sad, sitting-around-all-day vibes. Ordered the breakfast sandwich and that tomato jam needs to be illegal. Sweet, savory, slightly tangy -- it completely makes the sandwich. I kept trying to figure out how to recreate it at home. Not happening. Crispy chicken sandwich was properly seasoned and not dried out (why is that so hard for some places?). Fries were solid too -- crispy, not limp. And the kale salad with roasted chickpeas and chicken made me feel like I had my life together. Fresh, simple, and actually satisfying. It's one of those places you stumble into while traveling and then immediately start googling whether you can justify going back the next day.

    Photos
    Pastry display case with all the amazing house made pasties!
    Pastry display case with all the amazing house made pasties!
    Ellie's Signature Breakfast Sandwich
    Ellie's Signature Breakfast Sandwich
    Entrance to Ellie's located on union st

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    Entrance to Ellie's located on union st

    Bolt Coffee - coffee - Updated June 2026

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